Malta

Malta Rugby Leauge play in a red and white jersey reflective of its nation’s colours, boasting the world renowned Maltese cross emblazoned across it. Alongside this is an eye catching logo featuring a Knight which has become the moniker of the national team, paying homage to the countries medieval ancestors.

Malta’s first game on home soil was at Matthew Micallef St John Athletic Stadium, Marsa in 2005, defeating the England Lionhearts 36-6. Since then, Domestic Rugby League has been played sporadically by teams across Malta and its sister island when Gozo Rugby League was introduced as a foundation club in 2011.

Malta has enjoyed varying levels of success playing the sport on the islands, across Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia. MRL’s successful bid for Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) affiliate membership was awarded in 2013. In October 2017, the tiny island nation reached its highest world ranking in history (17), leapfrogging nations that were involved in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup 2017. A noteworthy achievement for a country of less than half a million people.